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Hi Dave, Thanks for the info. I told my acquaintance about your Adler 30-1. He might be interested. He has asked me further questions. 1. Is it a long arm? I believe you mention that it is. 2. Does it take a small or large bobbin? He prefers large bobbin, but a long arm is the most important. 3. I know that you are selling the head and stand. Does it also come with a motor? Thanks, Ed

I'm trying to help out a Russian cobbler in repairing and replacing some old Singer machines. Might anyone have a lead on a Singer 29-4 patcher with 360 degree rotating presser foot? Artisan has a machine with rotating presser foot for around $1700. I was thinking it might be possible to pick up a similar machine for around $700. Thanks Ed

Recently I was asked by a Russian cobbler to see if I can locate parts for a Singer 34Kll post machine. Does anyone know where I might look for a feed dog with necessary screws and plate, bobbin, and rear plate and screw? Thanks. Ed

Thanks, Knut. I called Teknomek, the Swedish company that makes the machine, today and was told to go through Talas here in Brooklyn, New York, though I may have to wait several months for Talas to put in their next order. I'll look around for other distributors. Ed

I finally bought the Scharf-fix 2000, from Trish. I'm still playing with it but I'm very surprised how well it works with thick leather, veg tan and chrome tan. Durability of such thin blades certainly is an issue, but cheap good quality double-edged blades should be available. By the way, the instructions mention the availability of optional 16mm and 20mm rollers. Might anyone know where to get these? Ed

Sold I had been pondering one of these skivers for years and could have used it several months ago for a project. I just couldn't help myself this time, even though I had been informed that the skiver is intended for the bookbinding industry. Valerie Michael recommends such a machine in her book (the Brockman). I'll be sure to post my experiences. Ed

Beautiful!

I like this toolbox.

Called around: Komar, Ferdco, and Coats. I was ultimately referred to Komar USA in Pennsylvania. They're going to give Coats a call and see what they can get for me in the way of this dark chestnut in 138 and 207. I think there may be a 10 pound minimum order from Komar, so if anyone else is interested let me know. Ed

Thanks, Tim. I also get Coats from Ferdco, but in chestnut they stock another company. I'll give Comar USA a call. I'll also give Ferdco a call and see if they may have changed their selection. Ed

Anyone have or know of a source for Coats chestnut bonded poly in 138 and 207 (color code S3925 Chestnut #2)? I had to buy dye lots of this thread in 277 and 346 because I couldn't find a reseller with this color, which was fine since I use these larger sizes daily. I need only one spool of 138 and one of 207 for smaller projects, so a dye lot directly for these smaller sizes from Coats would not be practical. Thanks, Ed

Thanks for the good suggestions. I get Krazy glue for a great price. Now I'd like to transfer it to a better container. Maybe an amber tinted medicine bottle with thin glass rod would be an idea: U.S. Plastics. stewmac.com seems to be a good source. Another option is Locktite's super glue. From what I've read, the Locktite bottle allows a usage window of at least 12 months. Ed

Might anyone know of a non-clogging super glue (Cyanoacrylate)? I'd like to get some super glue that I can use till the end instead of just a few weeks before the dropper end dries up. Might there be a special nonclogging container/dispenser I can use to transfer the three 1/2 to 3/4 full bottles I currently have on hand? Thanks. ed

In looking to streamline inventory, I also have Eddington 346 bonded poly chestnut for sale at $15 per pound. Exact shipping will be charged, either Fed Ex, USPS Flat Rate (@$11 for medium flat rate box), or regular USPS based on weight, destination, and delivery confirmation. Ed

Has anyone here ever used the ligne/line 4 and 2 German Prym Parallel spring snaps from OTB? I have the 10mm glove snaps and the setter from Tandy and was wondering if this setter would also be appropriate for the Prym Line 2 snaps,or must I get the setters from OTB? I've usually been disappointed with setters of all kind from OTB. By the way, what's the history behind the "ligne" rather than "line" nomenclature? Thanks, Ed

To cut down on inventory, I have some silicon thread lube for sale at cost. 20 ounces for $5.00 ($.25 an ounce) plus actual USPS shipping and delivery confirmation costs. Larger quantities are also available. Ed

For the price OTB charges for those snaps they should have been solid brass. Are they attracted to a magnet -- one of the simplest methods I use to check to see if an item is not steel. I have ordered from Zack White. Just now checked my stock the line 24 and line 20 are solid brass. I've been thinking of getting the nickeled brass from OTB. Now I'll have to give them a call to ask them to double check their stock. ed

I'm looking at p.13 of the OTB catalog. The baby standard snap fasteners ligne 20 are listed as solid brass. Are these the same ones you ordered? Ed

Check with Zack White. I think they have the Line 20 in solid brass. ed

I misunderstood. I though Art was an expert in Adult Content and was going to ask for some pointers. For example, what's that little thingamajig..... On another note, Having multiple machines seems to be the best way to go. However, I have had some luck getting my 441 to go from 1.5mm to 1". The thicker applications is a no-brainer. The thinner applications require a bit of tinkering: ratcheting down presser foot pressure, raising the needle plate a tad with leather washers, holding thin leather firmly against the needle plate, etc. One of the things that has worked very well for me -- yet no one has corroborated the method -- is the removal of the spring inside the bobbin case (I've posted elsewhere on this). This spring puts a bit of pressure on the bobbin, pressure that I have found to be a tad too much for stitching thinner leather. The only disadvantage to this move that I can see is a potential problem of thread getting bunched up inside the bobbin-hook-shuttle area due to running the machine at 400 spi or faster and the bobbin spinning faster than the thread can be taken up due to the missing spring applying a controlling amount of pressure. I never stitch faster than even 100 spi, so this isn't a problem for me. Again, no one has confirmed this move, but it has worked well for me. That spring should be easy to put back into place should anyone want to give this a try. Ed

I need to sell off some thread inventory to make room for some lighter weight thread for smaller projects, so if anyone is looking for black or chestnut Coats bonded poly in 277 and 346, I can ship it to you for $20 per 1 lbs. spool plus whatever shipping will be. Flat rate USPS might be the most cost effective. Ed

I enjoy listening to audio books while working on my leather projects. Here's one by Tolstoy that I enjoyed very much: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whatmenliveby_tolstoy_ckd.ogg Ed

Thanks for this tip, Luke. I'll have a look at my machine's discs, as well. ed

Does anyone know where to get flat bottom sections for for the socket (part with the two wires) for 10mm wire/glove snaps? I have these snaps from Tandy button the socket portion comes with a button half that is not flat. I think OTB might offer the choice of button or flat, but I'm not sure that they have the 10mm snaps and what they do have is rather pricey at around $28 per 100. Thanks, Ed

Thanks for the info. I did manage to pick up some lithium white grease in a spray can. I have yet to take out the flex shaft cable and apply the grease, but the kitchen cabinets no longer squeak. ed